Frontier Update - AVSC's Next Chapter
A return to the form of year one with some tweaks, black-on-kraft is back. Also, mounting requests for a return to fragrances finally got through - so those are back as well, with a much more custom and experienced approach than year one.
Frontier Deodorant is the latest evolution in our ongoing commitment to making a good deodorant. Formulated from the ground up with a lot of lessons learned from our previous carbon deodorant, the frontier base raises the bar (stick?) once again. We hope you give it a try and leave an honest review, it helps us tremendously on fine tuning products.
Aftershave has been updated slightly, and is now completely alcohol free for increased comfort.
Spray fragrance has also made a return in the form of Eau De Toilette. During development we determined that EDT was the sweet spot strength for our accords. EDP strength was consistently too strong, and EDC was consistently too weak. EDT is noticeably present when nearby, while not shouting for attention from across the room. Spray the skin for best projection, spray clothing for best longevity.
Bar soap has gotten an update as well. Still overwhelmingly tallow, but we added some coconut oil to boost the lather and assist scent throw. This was the biggest request we got from tallow soap, easily. The new XL cut is also a signature of ours now, and streamlines a lot on our end.
Scents are described by their accord, and are accompanied with a journal entry style scene to paint a vague picture. It could hint at the scent itself or the feeling it instills (adventurous, moody, invigorating, etc.), or both. This is a trade secret defense tactic, obscuring specific scent notes to make it near impossible for potential copycats, as well as an "anti-marketing" approach to marketing. It also makes discovering and experiencing a scent much more meaningful. You would be hard pressed to dislike any of the staples offered, and speaking of those..
The essential oil era is over. The requests and demand for fragrance based so overwhelmingly crushed that of essential oil based that it was shocking. We can't keep making what doesn't sell, so it was time to return - but this time with a vengeance. Our previous approach to fragrance years ago was pretty tame and casual. Our return is the polar opposite: hardcore intention with a laser focus. Each scent unique and unmistakably AVSC. The frontier update was more than a decent effort to attract frag heads, it was a foundational objective. Also by customer request, all products across the board got a scent strength boost.
Prices have shifted around. Dropping the reward program was a massive weight off our shoulders and has tremendously helped us maintain certain costs. Quality across the board went up with the frontier update, so we had to cut certain corners in the right places so that we could protect the customer as much as we possibly could from a value perspective. Base prices rose slightly to help with some of the increased costs, and the flat rate shipping fee is back to $10. The referral tab on the home page grants the ability to give and receive a $10 off discount code for $50 orders when the referral is converted. You should also receive a 15% off discount code for leaving any review, even if it is a one star one.
The ingredient index now displays the product and it's respective ingredients, with each ingredient linked to it's Skin Deep entry. We felt as though this was the most efficient and effective way to be transparent about our ingredients while also making it easy to maintain.
The Etsy storefront is finally closed. Etsy's policies and punishments for not playing by their rules had us strongly questioning what it's really worth. Only a fraction of a fraction of all AVSC orders came from Etsy, of which Etsy took a hearty chunk that we could certainly effectively use. The site and the shop portal are the only homes for AVSC now.
Thank you for years of support, through thick and thin. Your support in orders and in messages made this update possible. We hope you enjoy the new releases and let us know what you think. Thank you again and God bless.
AVSC